Girl, 6, was abducted and sexually assaulted, police say

Police are seeking this man suspected of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl after abducting her from a Santa Ana apartment complex Sunday. COURTESY OF SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT

SANTA ANA – Police seek a man suspected of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl after abducting her from a Santa Ana apartment complex.

The man approached the girl about 6:30 p.m. Sunday while she was playing with a 4-year-old boy in front of a large apartment complex in the 1400 block of South Townsend Street, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

The man, who authorities described as a heavy-set Hispanic male in his 30s or 40s, got the girl's attention by saying that he had "something to give her mother," at which point he picked her up, took her to his car and drove away, Bertagna said.

Investigators believe the man took the girl to a parking lot in the area, where he sexually assaulted her, Bertagna said.

After nearly two hours, police say, the man returned the girl to the neighborhood. By that time, her family, as well as neighbors and the police, had begun actively searching for her.

The girl was taken to a hospital for an examination, Bertagna said, and has been released to her family.

Police released a sketch of the man on Monday evening after interviewing witnesses who saw him take the girl.

They described the man's vehicle as a two-door smoke-gray sedan with a small spoiler or wing on the back and a moonroof.

"Our hope is that people saw something and can provide us with additional information," Bertagna said.

Investigators believe that in the hours before the abduction, the man was seen parked in various stalls within the large complex.

"We don't know if he was looking for her specifically or if this was just an opportunity and he took it," Bertagna said.

Authorities are not aware of previous tie between the man and the girl.

"There is no indication that he is a family member, lives in the area or knows anyone in the family," Bertagna said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the abduction or sexual assault to call investigators at 714-245-8665.

Related Links

Police are seeking this man suspected of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl after abducting her from a Santa Ana apartment complex Sunday. COURTESY OF SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Families mingle on a summer's afternoon on the 1400 block of S. Townsend Street just north of Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana Monday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A boy rides his bike down the sidewalk of Townsend Street in Santa Ana Monday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The 1400 block of S. Townsend Street in Santa Ana is not a through street. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The 1400 block of S. Townsend Street in Santa Ana is not a through street. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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